The IMDEA Software Institute, coordinator of the Spanish Associated Partner Group of EIT ICT Labs, participates in the call for ICT startups and innovators with entrepreneurial spirit that, for the second time in this year, EIT ICT Labs is organizing. In the challenge, applicants are expected to come up with “game changing” business visions related to one of the following innovation areas: Smart Energy Systems, Cyber Security & Privacy, Internet of Things, and Urban Life & Mobility.

The first round of the Idea Challenge attracted over 300 applications from 25 EU countries. Two startups from Spain, supported by the national EIT ICT Labs APG with the IMDEA Software Institute, Telefónica, INDRA, ATOS and the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, were awarded in the Future Cloud track. Twelve European startups are already working closely with the EIT ICT Labs Business Accelerator to further develop their ideas.

Ideas can be submitted online until September 30th. In each category, the finalists can win a cash prize ranging from 15,000 to 40,000 Euros, coaching from the EIT ICT Labs Business Development Accelerator, and six months office space at one of the Co-Location Centers in Europe, including the one in Madrid. Additionally, winning the Idea Challenge means to get access to the large innovation network of EIT ICT Labs with over 120 partners including some of Europe’s and the world’s biggest ICT companies as well as leading universities and research institutes.

More information is available at: EIT ICT Labs Idea Challenge